Nalwanja Anisha
The vetting process for Nkumba University’s guild presidential aspirants turned chaotic yesterday, with supporters of the three candidates clashing outside the guild offices. The candidates in question are Mawanda Derrick, Katende Muhammed, and Alinda Marvin vying for the top seat in the University’s guild leadership.
The vetting exercise, headed by Atuna Sabrina Herny, Chairperson of the university’s electoral commission, was meant to screen the candidates. However, it was marred by tension and rivalry among supporters.
Earlier, Mawanda Derrick’s camp arrived in large numbers wearing t-shirts with his slogan “Mawanda for the People, before he could make a grand entry driving through the campus as his loyalists chanted, ‘Mawanda, our man.”
The seemingly serene atmosphere turned chaotic as supporters of Mawanda Derrick confronted Alinda Marvin’s campaign procession, leading to an altercation, with Mawanda’s camp accusing the other of pelting empty bottles at them.
University security was swift to respond, and the situation was contained without injuries. Security officers have condemned the act they have reffred to as horiganism and caution students to desists from any kind of violence, “don’t be the reason someone else gets wounded or injured because of an election disagreement, if you are caught causing harm to others’ you will be apprehended and handed over to police. Practice your rights while observing other people’s rights.” Said Andrew Kimaka, Deputy Security Commander, Nkumba University.
Jesca Kasumba, a Business Administration student, says he finds those involved in election chaos morally incompetent because “anyone in their right senses would not want to violently attack another because they disagree politically. “Let’s learn to live in diversity, we can disagree politically, most especially at a time like this, but let’s not allow our temperaments to overshadow our cognitive understanding of the thoughtfulness of others, NRM, NUP, and other political parties will come and go, but Nkumba University will remain.” Warned Jesca
The Electoral Commission Chairperson, Atuna Sabrine Henry, assured that the commission would do anything within its power to deliver free and fair elections regardless of hiccups like this. She assured the general public of the commission’s neutrality throughout the electoral process, warning members against siding with any aspirant.
Nkumba University will be heading to the polls on 26th April 2025 in an election that will bring incumbent President, Noah Kasimba’s tenure to an end. Candidates, most especially the Presidential aspirants, are not intensifying their campaign strategies.
